Bluffton High softball on steady course for 2014

With three seniors already having signed to continue their softball careers at the collegiate level, Bluffton High softball coach Bill Ball is of the opinion he has one of the best teams in his eight years at the helm.

“I’ve never been as excited about an upcoming season as I am for this one,” Ball said. “The team we have here is the kind of team you write about wanting.

“They voluntarily put in that extra work and extra time to improve themselves.”

Pitcher Courtney Smith signed with Limestone College in the fall. Third baseman Kim Kerby and center fielder Morganne Parker signed with the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the College of Charleston, respectively.

“We have an extremely well-rounded squad this year, from seniors all the way down to freshman,” Ball said. “It’s a nice mix of wily veterans and sparky freshman.”

Ball is hoping this year’s mix of talent, hitting, speed and dedication will take the team farther than last year, when the Bobcats made it to the SCHSL Class AAAA Lower State finals but lost to Region 8 rival Summerville.

“We were deadlocked into the fifth inning in that (final) game,” Ball said. “We just had a bizarre inning with some weird hits, odd bloopers and passed balls that ended up turning the game in (Summerville’s) favor.”

Ball is not stressing any one thing to improve the team, but he is continuing to preach the virtues of dedication and teamwork to build upon what they have accomplished already. He also likes to bestow upon his team short, inspirational messages similar to the kind UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once used.

“Stay focused, stay positive and stay dedicated, that’s what I preach,” Ball said. “But I really don’t need to because these girls are hard-working and need no additional motivation.

“Nobody slouches here; they all know what is expected from the individual.”

This focus and dedication will be needed to compete in what Ball considers to be the best region in South Carolina prep softball.

“I really believe this is the best region, top to bottom, in softball this year,” he said. “The competition is extremely tough.”

Bluffton will have the opportunity to see how the competition fared in the offseason March 26 it hosts Ashley Ridge. Five days later, Bluffton will face off in another home game against Summerville.

“We’re definitely itching for the season to get going again,” Ball said. “And we’re looking forward to that first game against Summerville.”

BLUFFTON HIGH SOFTBALL

Coach: Bill Ball (eighth season)

Last season: 25-8 (7-3 SCHSL Region 8-AAAA), lost to Summerville in Lower State finals

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